{roots}

Last week was mid-Winter break for Levi's pre-school.  All weather reports called for snow and lots of it.  So, we decided to brave it and head to Sequim for a few days.  The drive over was easy.  I only started seeing snow just as we arrived at my grandparents.  From that point on it didn't stop snowing for the next few days.  It was perfect, relaxing and so lovely.  We walked into town both mornings for coffee and cones (yes ice cream) at 9:30 in the morning no less.  Why not?  I loved catching up with my Grandparents and Uncle David.  I truly treasure the conversations with them.

We built a snowman with the help of Uncle David & Grandma.  Some of my fondest memories are playing in the snow late into the night with Grandma Thomsen as a child.  It brings me immense joy that my boys get to experience the same fun and love from my grandparents.  My grandma Jakeway would have been so "tickled"  :) to watch them grow as well...and now I'm crying...moving on... :)

We spent one day out at the farm, catching up with my Aunt Carolyn & Cousins.  Every time I visit with them I leave wishing we could spend more time together.    
We played out in the snow & fed the cows.  It continued to snow the whole time while we where there, all the while a lot had already accumulated on the ground.  The entire 40 acres was covered in a beautiful white blanket.  It was breathtakingly beautiful.

Can you imagine waking up to this every morning?  Granted it's rarely covered in snow.  But when it's not they have a picture perfect, unobstructed view of the mountains.  It's amazing.

There were two 'freshies', two week old calves, amongst the cows.  Cutest things I've ever seen prancing their way through the snow.  Staying close to momma no less.

I thought more than once how easy and simple life was there.  Granted we were on vacation so to speak, but I loved and embraced every moment.  I loved that the small shop owners didn't bat an eye when I walked in with my two busy (but well behaved) boys.  In fact they acknowledged them and provided something to keep them entertained for a few minutes.  I loved that for three shorts days the clock slowed down and I enjoyed every minute with my boys.  Ironically it only took a couple decades for me to really appreciate my roots.

{be mine}

I do believe I have waited my whole life to make valentines with my lil sweeties.  Levi's teacher sent home a list of his class and requested each child practice spelling out their friends names on valentines.  I'll admit my heart skipped a beat.  I love crafting and creating little bits of beauty.  The boys and I had so much fun making cookies, creating valentines and putting them all together in a sweet little valentine package.

And of course my little valentines.  I heart them.

{sometimes not}

Levi comes and snuggles with me after Josh has gone to work.  He usually falls back asleep and I can sometimes get another 30 - 45 minutes of sleep before he starts whispering if he can watch a show.  The other morning he started playing with my hair and whispers:


"Momma your hair is rearry pretty down....and when it's up, it's not."

{sugar...spice...all things nice...}

I've been making some fun hair accessories for the anticipated arrival of a few friends baby girls.

Aren't these just darling???  Yes, I had to bribe my oldest to model these.  Yes, his hair is gorgeous.  Yes, it would be dreamy to have a little girl to model these of my own.  Can you imagine a girl of mine with this hair??  Oh my...But for the record my boys are full of sugar and spice, and all things nice...with a little lego clutch powers, kung fu panda & superheros to boot.  It really is the best!

g

My oldest is the pickiest eater in town, I'm talking gagging, shuttering, you'd think I was feeding the boy poison...my youngest not so much.  These make me smile.  Love him.

{Dora the dud?}

I'm beginning to think I should rename this blog 'auto articles', as my best convos with the boys are in the car.  Some people's kids sleep in the car. Mine. Never. Have.   I'm only now beginning to really appreciate it as my boys seems to reserve the best pondering of life for the car rides.  Love. It.

While headed to a birthday party at Pump It Up (yes I may have had more fun than the kids...maybe a tie)  Truth be told I wisened up and wore my ta-ta tamer this time around.  Ladies it WORKS and all the more reason to love Lululemon.  Anyway, back to the car ride.  

Levi: *exasperated* Momma, I jus don like Dora

Me: Dora the Explorer?

Levi: Yeah, I jus rearry don't!  I don wanna watch it anymore.

Me: Oh, ok...why?

Levi: Jus ecause, it's too much work.  We hafta says the words after her and I jus don wanna do that, ok!

Me: *laughing* You mean how they teach you to sound out the words Dora says?

Levi: Yeah, I don wanna do it! So, so, I'm not gonna watch Dora anymore. Ok!?

Me: *still laughing* Ok!!

Greyson: So yeah!

God forbid they have to do any work during those morning cartoons...and here I thought he was going to say because it was a GIRL show.  Actually maybe we're making progress. :)

******

While sitting at a stop light the other night.  The wind was moving the clouds quickly across the sky.  Both boys commented on it and how cool it was.  Then...

Levi: Mom those clouds are from heaven...anthe sun is from heaven too.

Me: Well, yes kinda

Levi: Momma oney rearry old people go to heaven.

Me: Yes, if they know Jesus.  Some young people too or sick...

Levi: Oh, you know Grapa & Grapa in Sequim are rearry old?  Well, one is rearry old and the other is not... But Grapa here is rearry old too.  She smokes you know?  Will she go to heaven...or will she go to the mall and die?  Mom, Momma...is there carpet in heaven or jus floor?

Me:*whew, where to start, I opted for the last questions* The Bible says heaven will have streets of gold buddy.

Levi: Oh. They will jus be gold?

Me: Yep

"go to the mall and die"  - where does this kid come up with stuff??? :)

{friday funny}

For my yearly family birthday dinner Mom dug out my baby book.  She's done this in years past, however I've always seemed to miss this 'fun' milestone, until now.
Many of you know I was a bit of a passer outer (pretty sure those aren't words - whatever) growing up.  I discovered back on November 29, 1979, at the ripe age of 10 1/2 months - through a blood test doctors learned I was a bit anemic.
Flash forward to four years and nine months old, Mom writes..."I was curling your hair in the bathroom, getting ready for church.  You complained of your stomach hurting, thinking you were just hungry.  Suddenly you groaned, fell forward hitting your mouth on the sink.  You turned white, your eyes rolled back and you passed out.  Never knew why."

There are two things about this that are down right amazing to me:

1. "Never knew why." WHAT!?!?!?  That's it??  End of story, you never knew why as in never took me to the doctor to figure out what happened, why your almost five year old passed out before your eyes??  I was barely five for the love of all that's good and right!!!  Levi is five.  I would have been on the phone with 911 in a hot second!  We all enjoyed giving Mom a good razing for that the other night.  Pretty sure she'll never live that down.  Love you Mom.

2.  I remember this incident vividly.  I always thought I was at least 10 years old when this occurred, I remember it so well. We lived in Sequim.  I remember telling Mom over and over how hungry I was, while she insisted she was almost done curling my hair.  I remember going down mid sentence, cutting my lip.  Waking up to Mom & Dad over me while I lay on their water bed.  I always wondered what my earliest memory was.  Seems rather impressive for barely five years old.  Then again, it was a bit traumatic.  Huh, I guess we'll never know why..... ;)

P.S. for the record I passed out every now and then up through high school.  One of those incidents causing quite the stir.  That being while I was working at Drug Emporium, as a beauty advisor no less (yes I'm laughing at myself as I write this) I told my boss a few times I didn't feel well and needed to go home.  She wouldn't let me.  So down I went, mid sentence with her, taking out the swisper cotton rounds display with me.  I awoke to paramedics over me in the beauty department of Drug Emporium.  Lovely.

Me (on the right) and my bestie.  My guess is I'm about five here.

{inspiration}

There are few things I love more than a good ole DIY home project.  I find inspiration all over the place, tons of random magazines, stores and my latest fav Jones Design Company.  Latest as in last Spring.  There is really nothing she posts I don't love or follow suit.  This past August she, (Emily) posted a 5 Days of favorite projects.  Perhaps why I love her post so, is her excellent descriptions and photos when sharing her talent.  Check this out.  Her ruffle pillow inspired my ruffle headboard with nail head trim.  Granted this might have taken longer than the pillow.  Ugh.  But I'm more than happy with the outcome, well forth the effort.

**pay no attention to the hap hazard photos and messy pillows**

Fun huh?

Get your own custom name print or art print here.  A la Jones Design Company, of course.  {thanks mom for the Christmas gift}

*****

I love old finds, that still have lots of life with a little imagination.  This chair I got for $10 at a local thrift store. I actually really liked the original stripes.  But, the seams had been damaged with a glue I tried and tried to remove to no avail.  Nothing a little herringbone grey fabric and nail head trim couldn't resolve.  It's possible I have an unhealthy attachment to nail head trim. :)